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100 years in jail for rape

Fort Campbell (U.S.): A U.S. soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year. Sgt. Paul E. Cortez (24), also was given a dishonourable discharge. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of his plea agreement. Sgt. Cortez, of Barstow, California, pleaded guilty this week to four counts of felony murder, rape and conspiracy to rape in a case considered the worst atrocities by U.S. military personnel in Iraq. In his plea agreement, he said he conspired with three other soldiers to rape 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi. The girl, her parents and a younger sister were all killed. Earlier on Thursday, tears rolled down Sgt. Cortez's face as he apologised for the rape and murders. — AP

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